Web Accessibility With the User in Mind Insights and Techniques Kathy Kimball Candace Lee Egan Copyright 2002 California State University Fresno All rights reserved. Permission to use or reprint this presentation is granted provided the copyright notice and acknowledgements remain intact. Notification of use is appreciated. Contact us at (559) or

Web Accessibility Overview

What is Web Accessibility? Access to people with vision, hearing and motor impairments Also includes those with color blindness, cognitive and developmental limitations Involves creating Web pages that facilitate assistive technologies –Screen Readers –Alternative input devices/approaches –Text enlargers

What is the Problem? Many Web sites use design techniques, scripts, images and graphics in ways that make the content inaccessible or difficult to use Images without alt tags Complex navigation Content presented as graphics without text version Flash, PDF’s (access.adobe.com)access.adobe.com Video and audio clips without captions or transcripts

What is the Problem? Screen reader examples, good and bad.

Why is Web Accessibility Important? Insures Web information and services are available to people with disabilities Insures Web information available to the broadest audience Legal requirement –Americans with Disabilities Act –Vocational Rehabilitation Act: Section 504: and Section 508 – –Senate Bill 302

Web Accessibility From The Users’ Perspective

A Different View of the Web Web Access for All: Accessibility Resource Guide e_guide.shtmlhttp:// e_guide.shtml

Making the Web Accessible

Basic Tips For Visual Impairments Avoid low contrast graphics Don’t require the ability to see color –Avoid “Click the green button.” –Be careful with the use of green and red Don’t force the font, size, or color of text –Use a style sheet which can be turned off Be sure forms can be navigated with the tab key –Avoid entry boxes that require a mouse click

Basic Tips For Motor Impairments Be sure links are obvious Alt text needs to match text on buttons Provide redundant text links for drop-down menus Avoid small buttons and link text

Basic Tips For Hearing Impairments Caption video clips Provide a transcript for audio clips

Use MAGPie for Video Captioning (PC) MAGPie (Media Access Generator) is a freeware authoring tool for video captioning for Mac and PC available online at: Works with QuickTime & Real Player Also, check out the Flash 6 captioning tool at this site

Use Slick Captions for Video Captioning (MAC) Video captioning software for the Macintosh. Add open caption or subtitles to your digital video. Imports DV movies created with iMovie, Final Cut Express, Final Cut Pro or other digital video editing software.

Other Methods of Video Captioning Real Text Captioning text for RealPlayer files. Hi-Caption Captioning text for Windows Media Player.

Resources For Web Designers

Guidelines and Standards Section Section 508 Explanation Web Accessibility Initiative

More Information at SDSU Accessibility and Information Resources:

Tips and Techniques Techniques and Tools Accessibility Techniques Creating Accessible Adobe PDF Files

Informational Sites Web State WebAim DoIT: Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology EASI: Equal Access to Software and Information NCAM: National Center for Accessible Media

Website Assessment Tools My preferred testing tool WebAIM’sWAVE 3.5 (development version) Portal to other free tools

Acknowledgements Candace Lee Egan, Carole Snee & Beth Case, California State University, Fresno. Adra Hallford, CSU San Marcos. Mick Wood, University of Central Lancashire. Video produced through a grant from: CSU Center For Distributed Learning & Community of Academic Technology Staff –Candace Lee Egan –Producer –Ruth Saludes –Director/Videographer/Editor –Abbe Altman –Program Manager

References Cited 2007 “Web Accessibility with the User in Mind.” Center for Teaching & Learning. California Polytechnic State University, SLO.